Chapter 22
Lani
Crap, crap, crap—I chant over and over in my head as I stare at the positive symbol on the pregnancy test. Evan is going to kill me. CRAP!!! I’m hoping it’s wrong, so I decide to call Dr. Chaney’s office to set up an appointment. He delivered Molly’s and Kerrigan’s sons so I’m putting my trust in him. Luckily, they had a cancellation so they can get me in today. Sneaking out alone got me into trouble the last time I tried to keep a pregnancy test on the down low. I’m left with no options but to ask my security guard Alex to take me to the doctor. He’s gotten used to driving me anywhere I ask him to. He’s like Jason Statham in one of those Transporter movies, an ex-military super badass who pretty much gets demoted to being a chauffeur for a small child. Now I just have to make sure he keeps his trap shut until I’ve officially told Evan— if it’s positive.
“Alex,” I greet as I get into the car.
“Yes, Miss James?”
“For the billionth time, it’s Lani,” I correct him. “Anyway, I’m going to the girly doctor, and I would very much appreciate if you don’t say anything to Evan. I know you report everything to him, but he really doesn’t need to know I’m at the gynecologist.”
“Ma’am, I won’t out you, but if he asks specifically where you are, I have to tell him. I enjoy my job and would like to keep it.”
“Wow. You actually like babysitting me?” I question sarcastically.
“Yes, my job’s fairly easy. Aside from the occasional drive, all I have to do is feed you and play Skip-bo. And sadly, I’ve grown fond of the game,” he says, laughing back. Yes, we are a boring pair. Eating and playing card games is all we do.
“Thanks,” I say, knowing that’s the best offer I’ll get from him.
Alex escorts me up to the doctor’s office, and he peeks his head inside to scan the room before he motions for me to come in. Before I proceed, Alex tells me he’ll stand guard at the front door. I was relieved to hear that because I wouldn’t have been comfortable with him in the room while my vagina was on full display. I figure it should be safe enough for me to go alone. Besides, it’s probably safer for him to be as far away from the exam room as possible. If Alex even thought of sitting in the examination room with me, Evan would rip off Alex’s limbs and hang him by his balls. Evan nearly killed Noah for “looking too closely” while performing an exam on me.
When I walk into the waiting room, my jaw drops as I am immediately met by a familiar face—Molly’s. Judging by her expression, she is even more surprised than I am. Shit. Is Noah here? I glance around the waiting room, and when I don’t see him, I plop myself down on the seat next to her.
“What are you doing here?” I inquire in a whisper.
“What are you doing here?” she asks, deflecting my question back to me. “And where’s Alex?”
“He’s outside. And I asked you first.”
“Don’t say anything, but I had a positive home pregnancy test,” replies Molly. “I’m here to get it confirmed. I mean, I already know, but I need to make it official. Now what are you doing here?”
Crap. I really don’t want to answer, but it’s not like I can lie about why I’m here. Molly’s not stupid—I think she just wants to hear it from me. “The same as you. Please don’t say anything,” I beg.
“I won’t. And holy shit...does Evan know?”
“No, and he’s going to kill me.”
“Why would you say that?” she questions.
“Because...even though I know he’s fine with having Harper, I’m pretty sure he doesn’t want any more kids. ”
“Well then he should’ve worn a condom,” Molly states simply. She’s right, he’s just as much to blame as I am.
“Wow. I can’t believe you’re having another one. You were so set on not having anymore.”
“Evan changed my mind,”
“What?” I ask in disbelief. “How? Why?”
“Well, when you were gone, he just stopped seeing everyone,” Molly begins to explain. “He was going through a phase, like he had completely lost his mind. One day, I decided to stop by his place so he could finally meet the twins. He seemed so miserable and hopeless, but then, as I was leaving, he told me to try again because Noah was desperate to have a baby girl. Of course, Noah loves our boys, but he feels that it would be even more special if we had a girl to complete our family. Anyway, just the way Evan said to try one more time—it was as if it would mean the world to him to see Noah happy. Of course, I thought Evan was just talking crazy at the time—and he probably was—but the thought of Noah and I having a complete family prompted me to try at least one more time. And of course, if we end up with another boy, I’ll be fine with that too. There would be seven of us, and it’s a lucky number, right?”
“Um...yeah, I’ll be sure to remind you of that when you pop out another boy,” I tease, and she playfully slaps my hand.
“By the way, Noah doesn’t have a clue, but on Valentine’s Day, I knew I was ovulating, so I took advantage of our all-nighter,” she confesses with a mischievous look on her face, and I start laughing.
“Looks like we’ll have the same due date.” I nudge her arm and we both start cracking up. It’s the first time I’ve laughed like this in a long time.
Molly is called first, and I follow a few minutes later. At the end of my visit, Dr. Chaney confirms that I’m expecting another one. Although I’m completely shocked to be pregnant again, I’m also a little excited. I love Evan, and I know without a doubt that he and I are supposed to be together. It hit me like a ton of bricks after he left on Valentine’s Day. I had feared the aggressive, rough-in-bed Evan, but I know he would never really hurt me and, if I’m being honest with myself, I enjoyed being dominated without fear. And when he admitted to me that he wasn’t having sex with anyone else, it proved to me that he loves and respects me enough to give me the time I requested without breaking the trust and mutual understanding we’ve maintained. I realize that I’m deeply and forever in love with him and, regardless what this test says, it’s time I admit this to him.
Evan
It’s a long day at work. I was hoping to be home by 5pm, but it doesn’t look like that’s possible. I’m in the middle of a sexual harassment case against one of the biggest software companies, and if we win, it’ll make me millions. Not that I need it, but these women have a very strong case, and I’m working hard to make sure it’s in the bag. I’m in the middle of organizing the case files laid out across my desk when my phone starts going off. I ignore it the first couple times until it goes off the third time. Irritated by the unwanted distraction, I glance down at the screen and see that it’s Senator Morgan calling. My heart skips a few beats, and then I quickly answer.
“What do you have?” I ask, not taking time on any pleasantries.
“Jackson called and asked for money about twenty minutes ago. I told him no.”
“I told you not to tell him no,” I remind him.
“Well, I’m trying to buy some time because I need to know exactly what you want me to do.”
“I see. How did he ask for it? Wire, check, or cash?”
“He asked to have it wired, but I told him I can’t have any money trail that could tie me to any criminal doings of his.”
“Good thinking, and a good reason not to wire the money to him. Do you think he’ll call back?” I ask.
“Of course. I know Jackson and he’s probably coming up with things he can threaten me with so he can get what he wants. ”
“Alright. Do you still have the condo in Chicago?”
“Yes, I do,” he says, sounding confused at my question.
“Give him a specific date and time to show up, then call me back with the details.”
“Will do,” affirms Senator Morgan before hanging up.
Shit. I need to call Alex and warn him that Jackson will be coming back to Chicago. It’s time to step up security on Alani and Cade.